EUROPEAN Union leaders have given the go-ahead for the EU Parliament to begin the ratification process of Theresa May’s controversial Brexit agreement despite the deal facing a significant defeat in Westminster next week.

European governments agreed to send the UK’s divorce deal to the EU Parliament in what is the first formal step to concluding the agreement. The parliamentary process will be overseen by Constitutional Affairs committee, which is chaired by Polish MEP Danuta Hubner. Guy Verhofstadt, the EU Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator will act as rapporteur, with his Steering Group members as shadow rapporteurs.

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The eurocrat suggested that he could become last-gasp saviour of the Prime Minister's Brexit deal.

A letter is expected to be sent from the European Commission on Monday offering further assurances to MPs that the Irish backstop would keep the UK in a customs union only temporarily, if the mechanism is triggered.

He said: "We, the commission and I, are in touch on a constant basis with No 10 Downing Street and we will see what happens between now and Tuesday.

"We will see what the British legislature decides to do with the texts that have been put forward. I still hope that here will be a deal.

"I do not like the prospect of a no deal, which would be a disaster, I think, for our British friends and for the continent of Europeans. And every effort needs to be made between now and Tuesday afternoon perhaps to ensure that this important issue can be resolved satisfactorily.”

But Mr Juncker tried to dampen any expectations that his intervention will actually deliver a positive result.

He said: "What we have said very clearly in council and commission, in full harmony, was that there can be no renegotiation, there can be clarification. But that’s all we are discussing with Downing Street what these clarifications might amount to, that should not confused with a renegotiation with regards to the backstop.

"Aside from these remarks I think it would be unwise to go into the ongoing discussions.”

He added "I could become highly prominent from one hour to the next if I were to enter into the detail of your question – and it is not your concern to have me become less popular on different islands. I will resist the temptation.”